2001 Toyota Echo

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Estimated MPG

Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP), also known as "sticker" price, is a recommended selling price that automakers give a new car that is above the invoice price paid by the dealer. It is a price that does not include any options that can be added to a particular car style. When shown as a range, the prices are starting MSRPs, without options, for multiple styles for that model.

This price range reflects for-sale prices on Cars.com for this particular make, model and year.

These city and highway gas mileage estimates are for the model's standard trim configurations. Where there are optional features, packages or equipment that result in higher gas mileage, those fuel-economy estimates are not included here.

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1-10 of 22 reviews

Best car ever owned

by GLowe from Chicago, IL | June 1, 2013

Bought this car new in 2001. Have used only synthetic oil since the first oil change. Current mileage: 303,000 and still running strong.
I've hardly repaired this car, ever. It will go 40K-60K with no repairs. Rolls effortlessly. Never eats tires. I got 120,000 out of a set of 80,000-mile Michelins!
Gas mileage is consistent at 38-42 mpg.
In 300,000 miles, I've replaced 1 water pump, 1 alternator, and the rear shocks.
Original engine, original trans, with NO repairs on either.
I'm 6'4 and have more headroom and legroom that any other car I've sat it, even luxury sedans. Huge trunk, nice back seat.
I plan on keeping this car as longs as it wants to be around.
Thank you Toyota!
Absolutely the best car I've ever owned.

Over 300,000 miles

by echo lover from St. louis, MO | August 4, 2012

The echo is hands down the best small car ever. I purchased a well maintained 2001 echo 5spd with 89,000 miles on it. Drove it 5 days a week 200 miles per day round trip commute, and numerous other weekend trips. 40-45 mpg every tank. Only mechanical issue was the ignition coils went bad one by one around 200,000-250,000 miles. Each was $100 plus 10 minutes of my own labor. Other than that I had routine maintenance, and one wheel bearing (around 275,000m). Drove it till she had over 300,000 miles n sold it for $1800. Best car ever... sniff.

Economical Car

by Echo Owner from Silver Spring, MD | June 10, 2012

The 2001 has the timing chain. The most economical car I've ever owned. I have the 4 speed manual, which is very economical , more than the automatic. This is ok if you like to shift gears.
The car has plenty of head room as others have stated and you can stretch you legs also. The car is easy to get in and out of and the back seat passengers have enough room also. The car has little pickup but cruises easily on the highway. It can easily go 60 and 70 mph. I got 42 mpg on my first test. I reccomend the car.

Great handling

by Vacationer from Southern Maine | November 25, 2010

Great price. Very low emissions. The best gas mileage I've heard of in a conventional vehicle: 42 mpg.
The instrument panel in the center is great. As I'm 6'2"", there's no need to take my eyes off the road, tuck my chin down to my chest and peep through the steering wheel to check my speed, gas gauge, odometer, etc as I would in other vehicles.
The trunk is amazingly deep, and the comfort is fine for two in the rear seat of the 4 dr sedan. Give me one of these and skip the hatchback -- there's plenty of room for suitcases or gear.
If you're sensitive to road noise, look elsewhere as it tends to boom inside this vehicle.

Reliable Practicality and Fun

by hpver from Bakersfield, CA | June 10, 2010

We bought our 2001 Echo new in Feb 2001 (4-dr, auto trans and AC but otherwise no frills -- manual everything). As of June 2010, we have 97K miles on it and have never had it in the shop except for a change of the front brake pads. Other than that, routine maintenance, fluid changes, new tires, etc. are all that's been done. It still runs great; we use it almost daily. I wish they still made this car. Because of its reliability and MPG, it's one of the lowest cost vehicles a person can own. We intend to drive it until it dies.
One of the reasons for the reliability is that Toytota has been making 1.5 litre engines for a long time and they do it very well. And the 2001 model has a timing chain, so no changing a belt every 60K miles.
The trunk is huge for a car of this size, and the car seats four adults comfortably. My son is 6 foot 2 now and can still drive it comfortably. A sports car it's not, but it does everything we have needed and then some. And after almost 10 years of hard use, including kids who are now teenagers, the upholstery, interior and paint is still in good shape.
I still get 30 MPG or more around town and about 38-42 on the highway. The car is tall for a small car, and a little light, so high winds buffet it a bit, but it holds the road and I've never felt unstable or unsafe in it. It can turn and park in small spaces and is very easy to drive. The center guage cluster is easy to get used to and I like that it leaves more windshield to see through ahead of me when I'm driving.
The professional auto press generally panned this car as dumpy looking and tinny, but those of us who have actually bought and driven one almost universally love and praise it. Trust the latter. This is a car you can buy with your eyes closed.

This car has never something wrong.

by Jecho :D from | June 4, 2010

I bought this car two years ago and I don't regret it. On the down side, it takes a while to get used to the gauge cluster stacked in the middle of the dash, if you have long legs then you feel like the seets arent long enough, but except that, THE CAR IS PERFECT!

my first car

by Tanya from Chicago | June 2, 2010

I love this car! its my first car and i still have it for 3 years now. runs very good, no problems at all. i got into an accident recently and all i can say for now i think will be a total loss, but i think its a very good car for the 4000$ i paid for it. next one will be a toyota too,but not echo lol.

Great Car If You Can Find One

by 06titan from Palm Bay, FL | May 25, 2010

We bought our Echo new, in 2001. Manual seats, manual windows, automatic with AC. Plain and simple. It now has about 150K miles on it and still runs and looks great. Normal maintenance (fluids, tires, battery, shocks) is all we've done over the 9 years we've had it.
Did you know 2001 was the "only" year the Echo came with a timing chain (versus a belt)? That means no belt replacement every 50-60K miles, which will save you a few hundred $$$! We highly recommend this car for anyone in the family. It's cheap to run, cheap to maintain and reliable.